It’s that time of year again. The temperatures are climbing, the days are getting longer and local producers and growers are bringing their delicious crops and treats to farmers markets for us to enjoy. While most of us only see – and taste – the finished product, farmers are working tirelessly every day to grow and sell top-notch fruits, vegetables and food products. They not only give us great things to eat, but also play a key role in our economy. That’s why I recently co-hosted the 2018 Central New York Food Summit, which brought together local growers, manufacturers and distributors, as well as members of the community, to discuss issues facing our region’s food industry and opportunities for growth. The panelists provided valuable industry insight and discussed topics like food distribution in both rural and urban areas, brewing and access to new markets, including farm-to-institution, farm-to-school and digital promotion. As a member of the Assembly’s Agriculture Committee, I also authored a bill to cut transportation costs for farmers to help them ship their goods. Fuel costs, vehicle maintenance and highway tolls can make it hard to be profitable, which is why my legislation would reduce the cost of tolls for farmers shipping goods by 50 percent (A.10493). More than anything, though, the best way we can support growers in our community is to stop by a local farmers market. We have plenty of options to choose from in Central New York, including:

• Fayetteville Farmers Market
  Fayetteville Towne Center
  304 Towne Drive
  Fayetteville
  Thursday, noon – 6 p.m.
  May 10-Oct. 25
• CNY Regional Market
  2100 Park St.
  Syracuse
  Thursdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Year-round
• Bayberry Farmers Market
  7608 Oswego Road
  Liverpool
  Wednesday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  May-October
• Syracuse Eastside Neighborhood Farmers Market
  Westcott Community Center
  826 Euclid Ave.
  Syracuse
  Wednesday, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  June-October
• King’s Corner Farmers Market
  1 State St.
  Tully
  Tuesday, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  Through August